President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity despite the country’s political differences.
The president stressed that all Nigerians are united as one nation regardless of political inclinations.
He made this call during the commissioning of the N9.1bn state-of-the-art Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Sauka, Abuja.
He emphasised the importance of unity and the collective strength of the Nigerian people as the country navigates turbulent political waters, saying,”Despite the cracks that may emerge in our political landscape, we are one nation”.
He declared that “Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity and the resilience of its people. We must continue to stand together, for we can only achieve the prosperity and peace we all deserve. The path to progress is always challenging.
The President likened Nigerians to residents of one house, living in different rooms but united as one family. He reiterated that although political differences may exist, the country remains united.
While inaugurating the facility named after him, the first of its kind in Africa, President Tinubu emphasised that this milestone represents a significant step in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He said, “The Renewed Hope administration has been relentless in its desire to create an enabling business environment that will usher in the needed economic boom for Nigerians and all those doing business in the country.
President Tinubu enjoined all security agencies to improve their performance in protecting lives and property, with a mandate to improve the country’s global security index.
“It is imperative that our ranking in the Global Security Index improves. I am using this medium to call on all security agencies to step up their activities towards achieving this goal. I assure you that my administration will give you the much-needed support in your operations. “He stated.
He highlighted its potential to enhance national security and improve the efficiency of the country’s migration and border management systems.
The President urged the Nigeria Immigration Service to leverage the new facility to safeguard Nigeria’s borders fully. He also commended the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his visionary leadership and innovative efforts, particularly in driving reforms that have enhanced Nigeria’s reputation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and internationally.
Earlier in his address, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-ojo, explained that the building’s nature and robust IT infrastructure make it a great investment and a huge contribution to global security, particularly with its effective connectivity to special platforms such as the INTERPOL and ICAO PKD/PKI databases.
Tunji-ojo assured that the facilities will consolidate all of the NIS’s data into one location, with backups elsewhere to prevent data loss. He further said, “With this, both local and transnational criminal activities can be easily monitored and nipped in the bud.” He described the Technology Innovation Complex as a cutting-edge facility that modernises immigration processes.
He said,” The idea for the complex, which houses the NIS Command and Control Centre, was conceived 18 years ago but faced several hurdles, including interagency rivalries and a lack of political will.”
Tunji-ojo revealed that the facility has been certified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is integrated with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), guaranteeing high standards of efficiency and accountability in immigration operations.
In her welcome address, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, stated that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex will assess the risk levels of individuals entering the country, identify irregular migration patterns, and monitor unmanned borders in remote areas across Nigeria.
She revealed that the Data Complex includes the Command and Control Centre (for regular migration), NIS Data Centre, ECOWAS Biometric Card Production Centre, Interior Data Centre, and a 0.5KW Solar Power Plant.
Nandap further stated that these facilities are “setting the benchmark for using technology to secure our borders and ensure
“The centre is integrated with the nation’s international airports, enabling it to gather advanced passenger information from outside the country and prevent the entry of individuals of interest.
CGIS Kemi Nandap elaborated on the complex’s capabilities, highlighting its multifaceted components, including the Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems. These advanced systems allow Nigeria to assess passengers’ risk levels before they arrive in the country, analyze suspicious travel patterns, and monitor border activities in real-time.
“The Centre alongside the electronics gates (e-gates) already installed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, PortHarcourt and Enugu International airports and Kano International Airport are parts of the reforms initiated by the present administration to ensure seamless air travels in the country. She explained.”
This advanced facility, built by Julius Berger, was approved by the then Federal Executive Council (FEC) in November 2018, during Mr. Muhammad Babandede’s tenure as Comptroller General.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Technology building is the most technologically advanced, digitally automated complex the NIS has ever had since its inception in 1958.
A top source at the Nigeria Immigration Service told LEADERSHIP that Babandede’s administration awarded Julius Berger Nigeria the project’s first phase on November 1, 2018, for N7.119 billion. On December 14, 2020, FEC again approved the second phase, covering furnishing and installation of multimedia and other equipment, costing N2 billion.